Lock for loose-leaf binders



y Jupe' 14, 1927. 1,632,249

w. J. STEENROD Loox FOR LOOSE LEAF BINDERS Filed Auz. 30, 1926 Inc/@72 for Y 49064K. MNM

ld, i927.v

' g Lesina LVLLAM J. STEENROD, 0F BENTONlrlIAB/BOR, MICHIGAN, ASSGNOR TO AKE'IVVAWTER CUMPLY, GF BENTGN ICARBR, lViCI-.

.uzlilil A CGRPORATIDN OF lVICI-IIG-AN.

Application filed August 30,1826.

lily invention relates to loose leaf binders, tic'ularly adapted tor use in that er in which the two binder back n'iei'ubers to which are hinged the binder covers are equipped with telescoping meinbers arranged to engage orilices in the bindend in which means are provided tor locking` the bars at any distance apart permitted by the telescoping` connecting menibers. The object ot my invention is to provide a simple and el'iicient locking' mechanism presenting; no projecting operating member and release-fl by a detached key member .which atiiords the protection of a i lock and prevents unauthorized removal or change of the leaves secured between the binder back members. `With this object in view l have designed and invented the binder lock mechanismhereinafter described in detail, the essential element-S of my invention beingl more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

.ln the drawing, Figure l is a tace view of apair ot binder back members to which .any invention is shown applied; Fig. 2 is an end view of the same, and Fig'. 3 is a section of the locking mechanism to which my invention relates, in a plane indicated by the dotted line ffloil Fig'. l, and on a larger scale than land 2.

Like reference characters indicate like partsv in all the ligures oic the drawing.

rEhe specific construction ot the binder back and telescoping members forms no part ot' my present invention, but by way of description ot the structure to which my invention is shown applied, it may here be eX- plained that the covers 1-1 are hinged to binder back members 2 2 to which are seciu'ed the upper post bar 3 and lower post bar 3 to which the telescopingi` posts liL and tubes l are respectively secured, the positions of the parts mentioned referring to the positions ot the parts in the drawing'.

llo the post bar 3, in the present vinstance n'iidway ot the length thereof, is lined a tubular member 5, the tree end 01"'. which is contracted to present an inclined or conical inner tace. lis illustrated the upper end et the tube 5 is shouldered and the reduced upper end, which seats snugly into a hole drilled in the bar is turned againstthe beveled top edge of the hole to lock the tube securely in position.

the

Serial No. 132,403.

The upper binder backmember is formed with a circular' hole or orifice 6 coaxial with tlm tube 5, but of lesser `diameter `than the 'elr o t the tube, thus providing van annular ledge extending ii'iarginally .around'the orifice which serves as an abutment 'ior a coiled compression spring' -i which bears inst the upper end oi a ball-carrier zo lmnp; aportion of a ball-clutch mechamsm. The low-ir hollow `main portionof ball-c ier is formed with an .axial bere and has a coned lower outcrface, and is provided with transverse bores (three in the present instance) ,for theyreception: of

clutch balls` l() which cooperate with the inclined inner tace of the tube and alsoV cooperate with a post il which is secured to the lower post bar 3 and is disposed coaxially o' the tube 5 within the bore ol" the ball-carrier.

rlhe reduced upper end of the ball-carrier, marked 5a, is a threaded stem adapted to cooperate with the interiorly-threaded reduc-ed lower end or stem 12L of a knurled ,key i'nernber 12,' which stem is adapted to inserted through the orifice 6 of the upper binder back member, and inside o the coiled spring 8. Y

As will readily be understood from the foregoing description, the binder back members may be pressed together to engage a group ot' interposed sheets, but relative movement ot such members in the opposite direction will be prevented by the clutching engagement of the balls with the interior` inclined tace of the tubular clutch member 5, and with the post ll. When it is desired to remove the leaves, the stem portion of the key member l2 is engaged with. the portion 5a ot the ball carrier and turned by the outer operating portion until the shoulder between such stem portion and the body of the key contacts with the 'face of the binder back member, and upon further turning, the key then draws the ball-carrier outwardly until the balls are released from clutching engagement, thus permitting' the separation of the binder members. It will be noted that the threaded stem 5ZL of the ball-carrier lies below or within the planeet the binder back member; and as it is round it is very diflicult to get hold of with any kind of tool other than the key made for the purpose. This key may be kept in the possession or lll() control of an authorized person, and removal of the sheets by an unauthorized person is thus rendered diliicult. l

I claim:

l. A ball-clutch mechanism for a pair of separable binder back members including a tube secured to one binder back member and formed with an interioily coned end, a coaxially disposed post secured to the other binder back member, a ball-carrier having a hollow main portion coaXially arranged Iaround said post Within said tube and having a reduced threaded stem portion lying Within the plane of said iirst-mentioned binder back member, said ball carrier being equipped with clutch balls and` said firstmentioned binder cover beingrformedwith anorilice in alignment with said threaded stem of said ball-carrier of less diameter than the main portion of said ball-carrier, and a compression spring interposed between the main portion of said ball-carrier and i the marginal portion of said binder cover` member around said orifice therein.

A52,. In combination, a ball-clutch mechaof said lirst-mentioned binder back member,

said ball-carrier being equipped with clutch balls and said'irst-mentioiied binder cover member being oiiiiced in alignment With said threaded stein of said ball-carrier; and

a key member having a reduced internally threaded portion arranged to cooperate With said threaded stem portion of said balle carrier through the orifice in said binder cover member and an outer operating portion arranged to bear on the outer tace of said binder cover member.

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name.

WILLIAM J. STEENROD.

Oil 

